• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.131-144
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• 2007

Objectives : Although the cause of neuronal death of Parkinson's disease remains unclear, increasing evidence points to the role of inflammatory processes. And the hallmark of brain inflammation is the activation of microglia. This study was performed to prove the effect of acupuncture on inhibiting microglial activation. Methods : The rat models which were injected with 6-hydroxydopamine were treated with acupuncture once a day on LR3 (太衝) and GB34 (陽陵泉). To prove the effect of inhibiting microglial activation, we examined the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunopositive neurons and CD11b immunohistochemistry in the substantia nigra. Results : There were 18% (third day), 32% (seventh day) loss of TH-positive cell bodies in the control group and 23% (third day), 26% (seventh day) in the acupuncture group, whereas 3% (third day), 10% (seventh day) in vehicle group. The difference of optical density in substantia nigra was evaluated by subtracting log inverse gray value of contralateral side from that of ipsilateral side. With regards to the result of CD11b immunohistochemistry, acupuncture group showed significantly inhibited microglial activation compared with control group (p<0.01) on the seventh day. Conclusions : Acupuncture showed the effect of inhibition of microglial activation in seventh day. However, the effect of protection of TH positive cell bodies was not shown. So we need longer investigation of the effect of acupuncture on Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.872-876
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• 2010

The present study found that EA pre-treatment effectively attenuated both spinal ERK activation and hyperalgesia against carrageenan-induced inflammation, whereas EA co-treatment with carrageenan injection unexpectedly elevated ERK activation in a synergistic manner and virtually had no analgesic effect. Therefore, we have concluded that the molecular mechanism of EA anagesia may be related to the inhibition of spinal ERK activation. Further experiments are required to find the intermediate candidates which transmits the pain-alleviating signals on the way of inhibiting ERK activation by EA.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.396-405
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• 2012

Objectives : To confirm whether acupuncture can suppress the degree of seizure and the activation of astrocytes in hippocampi using kainic acid(KA)-induced epilepsy mouse model. Methods : 8 weeks C57BL/6 mice(20~25 g) were given acupuncture once a day at acupoint HT8(Shaofu) bilaterally during 2 days before KA injection. After an intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg KA, acupuncture treatment was subsequently administered once more(total 3 times), and the degree of seizure was observed for 120 min. The neuronal cell death, pERK expression, and astrocyte activation confirmed 1 hour and 24 hours after KA injection. Results : Acupuncture treatment at HT8 suppressed KA-induced epileptic seizure. One hour after KA injection, the pERK expression was increased, which was reduced by the acupuncture treatment. Twenty four hours after injection, the treatment decreased the KA-induced neuronal cell death, the interleukin-$1{\beta}$ expression and the astrocyte activation in the CA3 region of the mouse hippocampus. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment at HT8 decreases the KA-induced epileptic seizure, the neural cell inflammation and death.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2013

Objectives : LI11 has been known to suppress epileptic seizure. Using an mouse epilepsy model, we investigated whether acupuncture stimulation at LI11 can suppress kainic acid(KA)-induced epileptic seizure and apoptosis in the mouse hippocampus. Methods : Eight-week-old male C57/BL6 mice(20~25 g) were given acupuncture at LI11 or ST36 once a day for 3 days. After the last acupuncture stimulations, KA(30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally and the degree of seizure was observed for 90 minutes. Twenty-four hours after KA administration, mice were sacrificed and the neural cell death, astrocyte activation and caspase-3 expression in their hippocampi were investigated. Results : Acupuncture stimulation at LI11 suppressed KA-induced epileptic seizure, neuronal cell death, astrocyte activation and caspase-3 expression. Conclusions : Acupuncture stimulation at LI11 decreases the KA-induced epileptic seizure and protects hippocampal cell death via regulating astrocyte activation and caspase-3 expression.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2002

본 연구에서는 침의 면역조절작용을 통한 염증반응 억제효과를 연구하기 위하여 내독소를 주입한 흰쥐의 시상하부에서 염증반응의 중추인 방실핵의 신경활성에 미치는 영향을 관찰하였다. 흰쥐의 미정맥에 LPS와 생리식염수를 각각 주입하고 군에 따라 양측 소부(HT8)나 족삼리(ST36)에 1분간 침치료를 각각 시행하였다. C-Fos는 신경활성을 자극하는 초기단계에 발현되는 유전자로서 신경계의 특정부위의 활성도를 측정하는 지표로 널리 사용되고 있다. 본 연구자는 침자극이 LPS로 인한 염증반응에 미치는 영향과 그 기전을 알아보기 위해 면역조직화학염색의 방법을 이용하여 대뇌 시상하부의 방실핵에서 c-Fos 면역활성을 측정하였다. LPS를 주입한 군의 방실핵에서 생리식염수를 주입한 군에 비해 c-Fos 면역활성이 유의하게 증가한 반면 소부에 자침했을 때 LPS에 의해 증가된 c-Fos 면역활성이 유의하게 감소하였다. 족삼리에 자침한 군에서는 유의한 변화가 나타나지 않았다. 결론적으로 소부 침치료는 LPS로 인해 증가된 방실핵의 신경활성을 효과적으로 감소시켰고 이는 침의 면역조절 및 탁월한 염증억제 효과를 보여주는 결과일 뿐 아니라 침의 인체 항상성 유지를 통한 치료기전에 대한 향후 연구의 중요한 실마리를 제공해주고 있다고 사료된다.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2013

Objectives : Effects of repetitive electroacupuncture(EA) on the pain behavior and activation of spinal glial cells were examined in the rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods : Twenty one adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups(control group, SP6 group, ST36+GB34 group). Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity of hind paw were tested. Immunohistochemistry was performed in spinal cord L5/6 of all groups. EA was treated once in a day from the $5^{th}$ day after surgery. Results : EA treatments applied to ST36 and GB34 reduced significantly both of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity after 3 times of treatment throughout the experiments. In the SP6 group, the analgesic effect was also shown after 7 times of treatment. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation in the spinal cord L5/6 dorsal horn in the ST36+GB34 group. Conclusions : The present results suggest that repetitive EA exert strong analgesic effect on neuropathic pain. These analgesic effects in neuropathic pain are associated with suppressing the activation of microglia and astrocyte.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.187-207
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• 2003

Objective: Recently, many studies have showed the evidences of the effect of the acupuncture treatment through scientific methods. One of these methods is functional MRI. We performed electro-acupuncture on Liv3 and observed the change of brain activation using fMRI. Methods: To see the effect of electro-acupuncture stimulation on Liv3. the experiment was carried out on 12 healthy volunteers. using the gradient echo sequence with the 3.0T whole-body MRI system(ISOL). After the needle insertion on right Liv3. 2 Hz of electric stimulation was given for 30 seconds. repeated five times. with 30 seconds' intervals. The Image analysis including motion correction, talairach transformation. and smoothing was done with SPM99. Results : 1. Group averaged brain activation induced by bilateral electro-acupuncture stimulation on Liv3 activates Brodman Area 6, 13, 18, 19, 22, 31, 39, 44, 2. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by bilateral Electro-acupuncture stimulation on Liv3 activates Brodman Area 4, 6, 9, 19, 36, 37, 39. 3. Group averaged brain activation induced by unilateral(right side) electro-acupuncture stimulation on Liv3 activates Brodman Area 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 22, 40, 42, 43. 4. Group averaged brain deactivation induced by unilateral(right side) electro-acupuncture stimulation on Liv3 activates Brodman Area 6, 18, 19, 28, 30, 31, 35, 37. 5. Brain region activated by motor stimulation activates Brodman Area 4, 6, 13, 19, 42.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.145-151
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• 2002

Medical concept of the skin disease is a symptom like itchs. It outbreakes by immunologic and nonimmunologic mechanisms. The most common case is hypersensitive reaction intermediated by IgE. Other case of immunologic mechanism includes activation of the complement system. Autoimmune antibodies for histamine-secreting mast cell IgE receptors are found in some patients suffer from chronic skin paroxysm. Most common causes of acute skin paroxysm are foods, viruses, parasite infections and drugs. Causes of chronic skin paroxysm are undiscovered. Air pollution, simplification of eating habits, habitual eating of convenience food; drug abuse in present days made skin disease more common. Now many methods of acupunctural treatments are being used clinically. So this report presents some views about acupunctural treatments for the Skin disease.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2016

Objectives : This objective of this study was to develop the Korean herbology of the plants belonging to Amygdalaceae in Korea. The literatures of the successive generations have been thoroughly investigated to prepare this article.Methods : The 22 herbological books and research papers published at home and abroad were researched into their total catalog, medicinal plants, distribution, medicinal properties, actions etc.Results : There are totaled to 1 genus and 48 species in Amygdalaceae in Korea and among them, medicinal plants were 1 genus, 17 species, some 35 % in total. The Fructus is the main medicinal parts in the Amygdalaceae, which was used in 18 species. According to nature and flavor of medicinal plants in the Amygdalaceae, they were classified into balance 22 species, and warm 11; bitter taste 23, sweet taste 14 and sour taste 13 in the order. According to meridian propism of medicinal plants in the Amygdalaceae, they were classified into large intestine meridian 13 species, lung and liver meridian 11 species respectively. According to the properties and principal curative action, they were classified into drugs for activation of blood 11 species, drugs for detoxification 10 species, drugs for clearing away heat 9 species in the order. The number of toxic species in the Amygdalaceae was examined to be 5 species.Conclusions : Among 48 species in Amygdalaceae in Korea, medicinal plants are 17 species, and are mostly used for drugs for activation of blood, which are 11 species.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.15-23
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• 2010

Objectives : In order to confirm the anti-cancer effect of Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid, this study was proceeded. Methods : A549 lung cancer cells were cultured to be treated by Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid as dose dependent manner for 72 hours. And then the cell viability, nucleus fragmentaion, p21 and p53 protein expression, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression, procaspase-3 PARP protein expression. Results : 1. Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid decrease A549 cell viability as dose dependent manner. 2. Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid induced the nucleus fragmentation in A549 lung cancer cells as dose dependent manner. 3. Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid increase the p21 and p53 protein expression. 4. Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid decrease the Bcl-2 protein expression but cannot affect the Bax protein expression. 5. Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid increase the activation of caspase-3 and PARP protein. Conclusions : As the above results, it was conclused the Trichosanthes kirilowii pharmacopuncture fluid had the anti-cancer effects to induce apoptosis.